Cardiac arrests surge 20% in London winters, paramedics warn
London Ambulance Service data shows a significant increase in cardiac arrests during colder months, prompting calls for life-saving skills training.
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Data and Dr. Wrigley named, with figures sourced from London Ambulance Service data.
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Paramedics at the London Ambulance Service (LAS) are urging Londoners to learn life-saving skills, including how to perform chest compressions and use a defibrillator, as data shows a sharp increase in cardiac arrests during winter months. The colder season consistently sees a higher number of such incidents compared to summer.
Winter trends in cardiac arrests
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Data released by the LAS shows that during winter 2025/26, there were 3,400 cardiac arrests. This figure represents 488 more incidents than in summer 2025, marking a 17% increase. The trend was even more pronounced in the preceding year. Winter 2024/25 recorded 3,643 cardiac arrests, compared to 2,965 during summer 2024. This constitutes an increase of 678 incidents, or 23%.
Across both years, London experienced approximately 20% more cardiac arrests during the winter period than in the summer months. This consistent rise highlights the impact of colder weather on cardiovascular health.
The importance of early intervention
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Dr Fenella Wrigley MBE, Chief Medical Officer at London Ambulance Service, stated that cold weather places additional pressure on the heart, increasing the risk of cardiac arrest, particularly for individuals with existing heart conditions. She emphasised that early intervention through chest compressions and defibrillation before ambulance crews arrive is crucial. "Every minute without chest compressions and defibrillation reduces a person’s chance of survival," Dr Wrigley said. She added that these skills take only minutes to learn and can more than double a person's chance of survival.
Life-saving initiatives
In conjunction with the annual ‘Restart a Heart Day’, LAS paramedics are offering free sessions to teach the public how to respond to a cardiac arrest. The Service's London Lifesavers campaign, active since September 2021, has trained over 63,000 Londoners with the aim of creating a city of life-savers. Furthermore, the London Ambulance Charity's Heart Starters campaign is actively installing defibrillators in London neighbourhoods that have limited or no access to these devices.
Questions this report answers
+How much do cardiac arrests increase in London during winter?
Cardiac arrests in London were approximately 20% higher during winter compared to summer months across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 periods. For example, winter 2025/26 saw 3,400 cardiac arrests, a 17% increase on summer 2025.
+Why do cardiac arrests increase in winter?
According to Dr Fenella Wrigley MBE, Chief Medical Officer at London Ambulance Service, cold weather puts additional pressure on the heart, making it work harder. This can increase the risk of cardiac arrest, especially for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions.
+How can Londoners help improve survival rates from cardiac arrest?
Paramedics urge Londoners to learn life-saving skills such as chest compressions and how to use a defibrillator. Early intervention before ambulance crews arrive is crucial, as these skills can more than double a person's chance of survival.
+What initiatives are in place to help Londoners learn life-saving skills?
The London Ambulance Service offers free training sessions as part of the Restart a Heart initiative. Their London Lifesavers campaign has trained over 63,000 people since September 2021, and the Heart Starters campaign is installing defibrillators in underserved areas.
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